HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston softball team split a doubleheader against Houston in the Bearkats' season-opening games at the Bearkat Softball Complex Wednesday.
 
Freshman Mika Vento pitched a gem to led Sam Houston to a 2-1 victory in game one. The Cougars used to big innings to take game two.
 
Game 1
Sam Houston 2, Houston 1
 
True freshman Mika Vento shined in her Sam Houston debut as she went the distance in the circle to lead the Kats to a 2-1 win over the Cougars.
 
Vento (1-0) only gave up four hits and struck out two in seven innings of work. The lone run the Cougars scored in the third was unearned.
 
The Bearkats scored in the bottom of the first when senior Megan McDonald singled to lead off the inning. Senior Kayte Martinez then reached on a fielder's choice and came around to score on a two-out, RBI single by freshman Hannah Scheaffer.
 
Freshman Emily Telg delivered the game-winning home run in the fifth, a blast to right-center field that proved to be all Sam Houston needed.
 
Freshmen Courtney White and Ellie Grill also hit safely for the Kats.
 
Game 2
Houston 16, Sam Houston 3
 
The Cougars (4-4) earned the split with a victory in game two thanks to a five-run fifth inning and a seven-run seventh frame.
 
All three of Sam Houston's runs came in the sixth inning. Freshman Emily Telg reach on an error to begin the frame, and freshman Hannah Schaeffer singled. Freshman Ellie Grill plated two runs with a two-out triple to left-center field, and sophomore Kyndal Kutac ripped an RBI double to right.
 
Senior Megan McDonald, freshman Avery Tumey and junior Sheridan Fisher also record hits for the Bearkats (1-1).